MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil: Bird flu case detected in wild animals

The outbreak involves birds of the “joão-de-barro” species (Furnarius rufus)

A new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild birds in Montenegro, in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul, specifically affecting the species joão-de-barro (Furnarius rufus) was confirmed Wednesday, while a suspected case in a commercial poultry slaughterhouse in Tocantins was ruled out.

The country has recorded a total of 170 cases of avian influenza, including infections in 162 wild birds, 4 sea lions, 3 subsistence farms, and 1 commercial farm. The only confirmed commercial farm outbreak occurred in Montenegro, within the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region.

There are currently seven investigations into suspected cases—one at a commercial farm and others involving subsistence poultry and wild birds in various regions. These investigations follow standard agricultural defense protocols, as the disease requires immediate notification to official animal health agencies.

Since May 2023, Brazil has conducted over 2,500 investigations into avian flu suspicions. Despite the cases, international trade in Brazilian poultry products remains unaffected, following guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health.

The new case of avian influenza in wild birds has been confirmed in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, in the latest update of the Ministry of Agriculture's Poultry Respiratory and Nervous Syndrome platform on Wednesday. The outbreak involves birds of the “joão-de-barro” species (Furnarius rufus). In addition, a suspected case of the disease at a commercial poultry slaughterhouse in Aguiarnópolis came back with a negative result for avian influenza.

The notifications in poultry and/or subsistence poultry do not impose restrictions on international trade in Brazilian poultry products, as stipulated by the World Organization for Animal Health.

At this point, there are seven investigations into suspected avian influenza underway nationwide involving sample collections, but no conclusive laboratory results yet. Only one of which is at a commercial farm in Anta Gorda. Three other suspected cases are being investigated in subsistence poultry in Aurelino Leal (BA), Quixadá (CE), and Manacapuru (AM). There are also three suspicions involving wild birds in Armação dos Búzios (RJ), Ilhéus (BA), and Icapuí (CE).

These investigations are commonplace in the national agricultural defense system, since notification is mandatory. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 virus) must be reported immediately to the Official Veterinary Service (SVO). Brazil has carried out more than 2,500 investigations into suspected cases of avian influenza since May 2023.